Constant velocity joint with cooling ring

Abstract

A constant velocity joint includes an outer housing and an inner race disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom. The outer housing and inner race are respectively rotatable about a first and second rotation axes, and moveable relative to one another to change an angle between the rotation axes. A cage, disposed between the outer housing and the inner race, has cage windows defined therethrough. A plurality of balls, each retained in a corresponding cage window roll along corresponding outer housing grooves and inner race grooves, respectively defined on an inner surface of the outer housing and an outer surface of the inner race. Rotation of one of the outer housing and the inner race about their respective rotation axis, causes rotation of the other. A cooling member disposed on the outer housing contacts at least a portion of its outer surface. Powertrains and vehicles are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A constant velocity joint for transmitting rotation between a first shaft and a second shaft, comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis,
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race; 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member; and 
 a flexible boot having:
 a first end portion of the flexible boot being removably attached to the outer housing at a portion of the outer surface extending outside the cooling member, and 
 a second end portion of the flexible boot, opposite to the first end portion, being adapted to be removably attached to the second shaft. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing and inner race are moveable relative to one another along a direction parallel to the first rotation axis. 
     
     
       3. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing is in contact with the cooling member on the outer surface in a region where the corresponding inner surface has the plurality of outer housing grooves defined thereon. 
     
     
       4. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling member is symmetric about the first rotation axis. 
     
     
       5. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing is cylindrical and the cooling member is a cooling sleeve enclosing the portion of the outer housing. 
     
     
       6. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling member comprises fins extending outward away from the outer surface of the outer housing. 
     
     
       7. The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the fins extend in a direction transverse to the first rotation axis. 
     
     
       8. The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the fins extend in a direction parallel to the first rotation axis. 
     
     
       9. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein
 the cooling member comprises a dust lip at an end of the cooling member, the dust lip being spaced from the outer surface of the outer housing to receive a flange therebetween. 
 
     
     
       10. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling member is press fit on the outer surface of the outer housing. 
     
     
       11. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing is cylindrical and the cooling member comprises at least one cooling ring enclosing the cylindrical portion of the outer housing. 
     
     
       12. The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling member comprises at least one of:
 at least one fin extending outward away from the outer surface of the outer housing; and 
 at least one groove exposing the outer surface of the outer housing. 
 
     
     
       13. A powertrain comprising:
 a motor; 
 a driveshaft connected to the motor and being rotatable thereby; 
 a gear assembly connected to the driveshaft, the gear assembly having at least one output gear; 
 a left drive axle and a right drive axle, each drive axle being adapted to be connected to a wheel; and 
 a left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint each of the left and right constant velocity joints transmitting rotation between a corresponding first shaft and a corresponding second shaft, each of the left and right constant velocity joints comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the corresponding first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the corresponding second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis, 
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member; 
 wherein, for each of the left and right constant velocity joints:
 the first shaft is connected to the outer housing; 
 the second shaft is connected to the inner race; 
 the first shaft is connected to the at least one output gear, and 
 the second shaft is connected to the corresponding one of the left and right drive axles; and 
 
 wherein the gear assembly has a left flange and a right flange,
 the left flange extending towards the left constant velocity joint, and 
 the right flange extending towards the right constant velocity joint. 
 
 
 
     
     
       14. The powertrain of  claim 13 , wherein each of the left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint has a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing extending outside the cooling member and extending into the gear assembly. 
     
     
       15. The powertrain of  claim 13 , wherein for each of the left constant velocity joint and the right constant velocity joint:
 the corresponding one of the left and right flanges further extends over a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing extending outside the cooling member. 
 
     
     
       16. The powertrain of  claim 13 , wherein for each of the left constant velocity joint and the right constant velocity joint:
 the cooling member comprises a dust lip at an end thereof; 
 the corresponding one of the left and right flanges is received between the outer surface of the outer housing and the dust lip. 
 
     
     
       17. The powertrain of  claim 13 , wherein for each of the left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint:
 the first shaft is integrally connected to the outer housing. 
 
     
     
       18. The powertrain of  claim 13 , wherein for each of the left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint:
 the second shaft is integrally connected to the corresponding one of the left and right drive axles. 
 
     
     
       19. A vehicle comprising:
 a frame; 
 a cockpit area defined in the frame; 
 at least one seat disposed in the cockpit area; 
 a motor connected to the frame; 
 a pair of front wheels connected to the frame, the pair of front wheels including a left front wheel and a right front wheel; 
 a pair of rear wheels connected to the frame, the pair of rear wheels including a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel connected to the frame; 
 at least one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels being operatively connected to the engine for propelling the vehicle; 
 a steering member operatively connected to at least one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; 
 a driveshaft connected to the motor, the driveshaft being rotatable thereby; 
 a gear assembly connected to the driveshaft, the gear assembly having at least one output gear; 
 a left drive axle and a right drive axle, the left drive axle being connected to the left one of one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, the right drive axle being connected to the right one of the one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; and 
 a left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint, each of the left and right constant velocity joints transmitting rotation between a corresponding first shaft and a corresponding second shaft, each of the left and right constant velocity joints comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the corresponding first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the corresponding second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis, 
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member; 
 wherein, for each of the left and right constant velocity joints:
 the first shaft is connected to the outer housing; 
 the second shaft is connected to the inner race; 
 the first shaft is connected to the at least one output gear, and 
 the second shaft is connected to the corresponding one of the left and right drive axles; and 
 
 wherein when the vehicle is stationary on level ground, a position of the center of the left rear wheel and a position of the center of the right rear wheel are each one of:
 vertically lower than, and 
 vertically aligned with, 
 
 the respective one of the left and right constant velocity joints. 
 
     
     
       20. A vehicle comprising:
 a frame; 
 a cockpit area defined in the frame; 
 at least one seat disposed in the cockpit area; 
 a motor connected to the frame; 
 a pair of front wheels connected to the frame, the pair of front wheels including a left front wheel and a right front wheel; 
 a pair of rear wheels connected to the frame, the pair of rear wheels including a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel connected to the frame; 
 at least one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels being operatively connected to the engine for propelling the vehicle; 
 a steering member operatively connected to at least one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; 
 a driveshaft connected to the motor, the driveshaft being rotatable thereby; 
 a gear assembly connected to the driveshaft, the gear assembly having at least one output gear; 
 a left drive axle and a right drive axle, the left drive axle being connected to the left one of one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, the right drive axle being connected to the right one of the one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; and 
 a left constant velocity joint and a right constant velocity joint, each of the left and right constant velocity joints transmitting rotation between a corresponding first shaft and a corresponding second shaft, each of the left and right constant velocity joints comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being connected to the corresponding first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being connected to the corresponding second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis, 
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member; 
 wherein, for each of the left and right constant velocity joints:
 the first shaft is connected to the at least one output gear, and 
 the second shaft is connected to the corresponding one of the left and right drive axles; and 
 
 wherein when the vehicle is stationary on level ground, a position of the center of the left rear wheel and a position of the center of the right rear wheel are each one of: 
 longitudinally rearward of, and 
 longitudinally aligned with, 
 the respective one of the left and right constant velocity joints. 
 
     
     
       21. A constant velocity joint for transmitting rotation between a first shaft and a second shaft, comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis,
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race; and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member, the cooling member comprising fins extending outward away from the outer surface of the outer housing, the fins extending in a direction transverse to the first rotation axis. 
 
     
     
       22. A constant velocity joint for transmitting rotation between a first shaft and a second shaft, comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis,
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member,
 the cooling member comprising a dust lip at an end of the cooling member, the dust lip being spaced from the outer surface of the outer housing to receive a flange therebetween. 
 
 
     
     
       23. A constant velocity joint for transmitting rotation between a first shaft and a second shaft, comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis,
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member, the cooling member being press fit on the outer surface of the outer housing. 
 
     
     
       24. A constant velocity joint for transmitting rotation between a first shaft and a second shaft, comprising:
 an outer housing rotatable about a first rotation axis, the outer housing being adapted to be connected to the first shaft, the first rotation axis being coaxial with the first shaft, the outer housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being cylindrical; 
 an inner race rotatable about a second rotation axis, the inner race being disposed inside the outer housing and spaced therefrom, the inner race being adapted to be connected to the second shaft, the second rotation axis being coaxial with the second shaft; 
 the outer housing and inner race being movable relative to one another to change an angle between the first axis and the second axis of rotation; 
 a cage disposed between the outer housing and the inner race; 
 a plurality of balls held between the outer housing and the inner race so that rotation of one of the outer housing about the first rotation axis and the inner race about the second rotation axis causes rotation of the other of the outer housing about the first rotation axis of rotation and the inner race about the second rotation axis,
 each of the plurality of balls being retained in a corresponding cage window defined through the cage so as to roll along a corresponding one of a plurality of outer housing grooves and a corresponding one of a plurality of inner housing grooves,
 each outer housing groove being defined on the inner surface of the outer housing, 
 each inner race groove being defined on an outer surface of the inner race, and 
 
 
 a cooling member fitted onto the outer housing, at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing being in contact with the cooling member, the cooling member comprising at least one cooling ring enclosing the cylindrical portion of the outer housing.